The proposal includes eight warehouses for storage and distribution varying in size from 940sqm to 1620sqm totalling approx. 11,065 sqm with associated hardstanding areas, car parking spaces as well as access roads with the remainder of the site to be landscaped.

Block Nine was approached by a long-standing developer client Allanton Group with the prospect of developing a newly purchased site in the hub of the functioning industrial estate. Working closely with its client and consultancy team, the practice researched the intent for the project through a detailed briefing process, and established the requirements for the facilities, formulating a full design brief to the client’s and the marketing agent’s ambitions for the site.

Allanton Group holds strong sustainability values and the development is to comply with the relevant BREEAM certification requirements regards sustainability.

The Block Nine team completed a full site analysis, reviewing all possible access routes to the site, whilst observing the potential pitfalls and areas of concern that the site held – a critical process given the precarious topography with a notable fall towards the south east of the site.

In approaching and preparing the Stage 3 design proposal to be submitted to the planning department, various issues were reviewed and addressed prior to the submission:

• Through a dedicated design team, public consultation events and consultation with North Lanarkshire Council Planning and other relevant departments, Block Nine was able to resolve identified issues in order to secure full planning approval.
• By designing a series of stepped plateau levels serviced by graded access roads, Block Nine maximised the efficiency of the site in spite of the changes in level and topographical challenges across its extent.
• Through consultation with Transport Scotland, Block Nine and its transport consultancy team successfully designed new staggered access junctions enabling vehicular access to the site from Grayshill Road without negatively impacting on the use of the access roads around the site or to the existing industrial units.
• To the south of the site, a number of existing trees, a steep embankment and a drainage swale screen the development from Westfield Road. Working with an arboriculturist and drainage consultant, Block Nine ensured these existing features were maintained, successfully retaining a visual and acoustic ‘buffer’ to the main road below, and ensuring there will be no adverse impact on the existing trees and the ecology of the natural landscape to the south of the site.
• Through consultation with Scottish Power, Block Nine and its M+E consultancy team have designed a new substation on site to ensure current and future provision for each of the units with the required power for Use Classes 5 (General Industry) and 6 (Storage and Distribution).
• Block Nine consulted with Police Scotland to ensure the proposals will be awarded full Secure by Design certification upon completion which promotes the development as a safe and secure place to work.

Mark Donaghy, associate director, who was the lead architect on the project, told SCN: “The project has been a highly successful endeavour for Block Nine Architects, driven by our highly ambitious client, Allanton Group and the consultancy team as a whole. Securing statutory consent for the site is a significant milestone in the industrial sector for the practice.

“Intelligent design solutions have been implemented through a highly cohesive and strategic approach to the masterplaning as well as the individual buildings on the site, as the design team for the project worked efficiently, and communicated effectively in preparing and developing the proposals which have gained Planning consent for all 3 phases of the project.

“The approval is a key step in unlocking the Grayshill Road site as a highly desirable location for sustainable industrial development.”